Agnes Calder Hershberger

          Agnes Calder Hershberger, 100, of Florence, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in a Florence nursing home. Mrs. Hershberger was born in Marion, South Carolina, to the late Curtis Mack Calder and Lucy Caulder Calder. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Lenwood Hershberger, and son, Billy Dean Hershberger, her brother, Joe R. Calder, her six sisters: Gracie C. Lindgren, Margie C. Weldon, Alease C. Porter, Margaret C. Martin, Dorothy Singletary, and Curtis Mae Caulder. Surviving are her sons, Ray M. Hershberger of Norfolk, VA; and James R. Hershberger of Conway, SC, and her daughter, Donna Jean Van Esland of Conway, SC; grandchildren, Michael Starnes and Christopher Starnes, Damien Dean Hershberger, Melanie Hershberger Jones, and Bridgette Hershberger Flynn. Mrs. Hershberger was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Florence.

          Agnes was born on May 20, 1925, in Marion County, South Carolina. She was the fourth child of eight loving and close-knit children—she was the final survivor of her siblings. Among her favorite early childhood memories was one of her and her younger sister, Alease, leisurely walking the family cow down to the creek. Morning mist would still be in the air, and they would gently prod the cow in the creek’s direction—just two girls and a cow sharing a daily ritual and playfully splashing in the water. She would cherish simple, daily routines like this the rest of her life.

         On August 4, 1945, she married Ray L. Hershberger, who was serving in the Army Air Corps, now known as the United States Air Force. Over the years, they moved quite a bit, and one of her favorite places was a windmill in Fair Oaks, CA, which had been turned into a cozy little house. It was on a private pheasant hunting reserve, and it was such a peaceful spot with fruit and nut trees and a small stream where she would play with her infant son. She and Ray had a wonderful and long marriage.

         One day, during a doctor’s visit, Agnes was told that her kidney wasn’t working as well as it should. She left before the doctor could tell her that she just needed to be careful. But then, days later, she found out it wasn’t serious, and she didn’t need dialysis. She stood up and said, “If I’m not going to die, I need to go shopping!” It seemed like wherever she went—the bank, pharmacy, store, or even a restaurant—people would call out, “Miss Agnes,” and come visit her. She really loved these little, unexpected moments.

          Agnes believed in angels and loved to tell of her encounters with “angels.” One of her more recent incidents happened after a car accident. She had passed out from the crash but she remembers a kind, young man pulling her out of the car and gently laying her on the ground away from danger. Before she could shake the fog from her mind, he disappeared. She never got to thank him but she knew he was another guardian angel.

          The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Waters-Powell Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Florence National Cemetery.

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